Technical academia goes back to school: the role of universities in environmental and sustainable education for childhood
International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education
ISSN: 1467-6370
Article publication date: 30 August 2024
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the relationship between academia and society focusing on how technical universities perform Third Mission (TM) to promote knowledge outside the academic environment producing multiple benefits.
Design/methodology/approach
This investigation is performed through the conceptual approach. The theoretical background of the TM is explored through scientific literature review. It analyses a selected pool of experiences focused on Environmental and Sustainable Education (ESE). The study identifies significant aspects of two specific case studies, designed and implemented by the authors.
Findings
Outcomes show opportunities and limitations in the application of ESE on behalf of technical academia. The study suggests solutions, precautions and systemic changes to promote ESE for childhood as TM activity in technical engineering academia. These recommendations can be useful for policymakers to set academic goals and plan the strategic management of teaching, research and TM.
Originality/value
The paper focuses on the role of technical engineering universities and criticalities faced by academics to foster and perform ESE. Future perspectives aim to create new opportunities to strengthen the social impact of scientific and technical research by building bridges with childhood education.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to express their sincere gratitude to teachers, school staff, educators, colleagues and children (and their families) involved in project “FIUM-Poli percorsi” and “Pareti Verdi a Scuola”. The authors appreciated their willingness and enthusiasm shown during both projects.
Funding: This study did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.
Declaration of interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
Citation
Comino, E., Dominici, L., Reyneri, A. and Treves, A. (2024), "Technical academia goes back to school: the role of universities in environmental and sustainable education for childhood", International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-05-2023-0205
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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